There has always been a debate on who is more superior between man and woman throughout history. When comparing two articles on the Odyssey, it shows similarities and differences on how the two genders are portrayed. In Lilian E. Dorathy’s article, “Athena and Penelope as foils for Odysseus in the Odyssey” it explores how the two contrasting female characters are introduced to highlight the good and bad qualities of Odysseus. In “Three Models of Authority in the Odyssey” by Colleen Chaston, it explores how Penelope exerts authority in the three areas that are traditionally seen as men’s business. One essay tells us how the woman make Odysseys look better, the is other saying how Penelope more authority than any other character.…show more content… Foils are a person who contrasts and therefore enhances the qualities of another, being Odysseys. Athena represents intelligence, and Penelope shares her cunning trait with him. These three figures together in fact, made Odysseys the hero he is portrayed as today. Odysseys would not of gone as far as he did without these two woman by his side. Dorothy states “Athena and Penelope resemble Odysseys in the same ways that are central to his excellence as a hero.” (p5.)
In the second article, Chasten puts her full attention into Penelope’s character and how most of the authority goes through her. Chasten explains how there are three types of authority namely speech, violence and like- mindedness, and they are ported by different characters. (1) Yet they are all filtered through Penelope and how she rules by exerting all three of these authority
